Find My Cancer Drug

Chlorambucil (Leukeran®)

OncoLink Team

Last Modified:
September 10, 2015

Pronounced:klor-AM-byoo-sill

Classification:Alkylating Agent

About Chlorambucil (Leukeran®)

Chlorambucil exerts its anti-cancer affect by a process called alkylation. Alkylation damages the DNA of cells, which prevents them from dividing, and causes them to die. Since cancer cells, in general, divide faster and with less error-correcting than healthy cells, cancer cells are more sensitive to this damage.

How to Take Chlorambucil

Chlorambucil is taken orally (by mouth) in pill form. The dose and schedule is determined by the person's size and the type of cancer being treated. It is preferred that chlorambucil be taken on an empty stomach and around the same time every day.

It is important to make sure you are taking the correct amount of medication every time. Before every dose, check that what you are taking matches what you have been prescribed.

Storage and Handling

Store your medication in the original, labeled container at room temperature and in a dry location (unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist). This medication should not be stored in a pillbox. Keep containers out of reach of children and pets.

If a caregiver prepares your dose for you, they should consider wearing gloves or pour the pills directly from their container into the cap, a small cup, or directly into your hand. They should avoid touching the pills. They should always wash their hands before and after giving you the medication. Pregnant or nursing women should not prepare the dose for you. Ask your oncology team where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush down the toilet or throw in the trash.

Where do I get this medication?

Chlorambucil is available through retail or mail order pharmacy. Your oncology team will work with your prescription drug plan to identify an in-network, retail or mail order pharmacy for medication distribution.

Insurance Information

This medication may be covered under your prescription drug plan. Patient assistance may be available to qualifying individuals depending upon prescription drug coverage. Co-pay cards, which reduce the patient co-pay responsibility for eligible commercially (non-government sponsored) insured patients, may also be available. Your care team can help you find these resources, if they are available.

Possible Side Effects

There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of chlorambucil. Talk to your care team about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common or important side effects:

Low White Blood Cell Count (Leukopenia or Neutropenia)

White blood cells (WBC) are important for fighting infection. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. You should let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4), sore throat or cold, shortness of breath, cough, burning with urination, or a sore that doesn't heal.

Tips to preventing infection:

Washing hands, both yours and your visitors, is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.

Avoid large crowds and people who are sick (i.e.: those who have a cold, fever or cough or live with someone with these symptoms).

When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves.

Ask your oncology care team before you, or someone you live with, has any vaccinations.

Low Red Blood Cell Count (Anemia)

Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When the red cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your oncology care team know if you experience any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or pain in your chest. If the count gets too low, you may receive a blood transfusion.

Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia)

Platelets help your blood clot, so when the count is low you are at a higher risk of bleeding. Let your oncology care team know if you have any excess bruising or bleeding, including nose bleeds, bleeding gums or blood in your urine or stool. If the platelet count becomes too low, you may receive a transfusion of platelets.

Do not use a razor (an electric razor is fine).

Avoid contact sports and activities that can result in injury or bleeding.

Do not take aspirin (salicylic acid), non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib) etc. as these can all increase the risk of bleeding. Please consult with your healthcare team regarding use of these agents and all over the counter medications/supplements while on therapy.

Do not floss or use toothpicks and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth.

Rash

This medication can cause a skin rash or allergic reaction that presents as a skin rash, which can include itching, swelling and blistering. These can become very serious and any skin changes should be reported to your care team immediately.

Peripheral Neuropathy (Numbness or Tingling in the Hands and/or Feet)

Peripheral neuropathy is a toxicity that affects the nerves. It causes numbness or a tingling feeling in the hands and/or feet, often in the pattern of a stocking or glove. This can get progressively worse with additional doses of the medication. In some people, the symptoms slowly resolve after the medication is stopped, but for some it never goes away completely. You should let oncology care team know if you experience numbness or tingling in the hands and/or feet, as they may need to adjust the doses of your medication.

Nausea and/or Vomiting: Nausea, with or without vomiting, can be a side effect of opioid pain medications. For some patients it lasts just a few days to weeks after starting the medication, but for some it is a long-term side effect. Nausea and vomiting can interfere with pain management if the nausea and/or vomiting affects the patient's ability to take the medication. You may find that eating or not eating when taking this medication may be helpful for you. Talk to your healthcare team so they can prescribe medications to help you manage nausea and vomiting.

Lung Changes: This medication may cause pulmonary fibrosis (a scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue) and interstitial pneumonia. Call your provider if you have shortness of breath, cough, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Liver Toxicity: This medication can cause liver toxicity, which your doctor may monitor for using blood tests called liver function tests. If you develop elevations in your liver function tests, your healthcare provider may need to lower your dose or stop the medication. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, your urine appears dark or brown or pain in your abdomen, as these can be signs of liver toxicity.

Nervous System Changes: This medication can cause neurologic changes ranging from agitated behavior and confusion to seizures. Call your care team immediately if you experience headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, agitation or seizures.

Secondary Malignancies: There is a very low risk of developing leukemia or other type of cancer due to treatment with this medication, which can occur many years after treatment. This is most often associated with repeated treatments or high doses.

Sexual & Reproductive Concerns

This drug may affect your reproductive system, resulting in the menstrual cycle or sperm production becoming irregular or stopping permanently. Women may experience menopausal effects including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition, the desire for sex may decrease during treatment.

Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while on this medication. Effective birth control is necessary during treatment, even if your menstrual cycle stops or you believe you are not producing sperm. You may want to consider sperm banking or egg harvesting if you may wish to have a child in the future. Discuss these options with your oncology team. You should consult with your healthcare team before breastfeeding while receiving this medication.